How is plastic affecting animals?
Animals often eat plastic because they are not always able to distinguish plastic from food. Organisms that are filter feeders (plankton, shellfish, baleen whales) or that live under the beach sand (lugworms) cannot make that distinction. Some fish eat plastic because they mistake it for fish eggs and bite at floating plastic in the water.
Turtles see plastic bags as the jellyfish that are usually on their menu. In the stomachs of the northern fulmar – which gathers its food by flying with an open beak above the water surface – plastic is almost always found. Many grazing animals on land also eat plastic. Plastic debris coated with food waste increases the chance that the plastic will be eaten.
Animals that accidentally eat plastic suffer as a result of it. Swallowed plastic fills the stomach and not surprisingly this reduces the feeling of hunger. Animals eat less, obtain less energy, and weaken. Larger pieces of plastic can also block their gastrointestinal tract so that the plastic can no longer be excreted. In other cases, plastic is ground into small pieces in the stomach and then scattered everywhere. In this way, the northern fulmar grinds and spreads millions of pieces every year. Some of it is left at abandoned nesting sites.
Knowing the impact that plastic can have on the animals around you, surely you want to do all you can to keep them safe from this nasty villain.
The first step to take would be to reduce the amount of plastics you use. If you have a choice at the grocery store, aim for foods that come in larger single packages rather than individual ones. And try to avoid produce wrapped in plastic bags or packaged in plastic trays.
Second, eliminate your single-use plastics and opt for reusable products in their place. You can cut plastic beverage containers from your life by using cups, mugs, reusable water bottles, or even a mason jar to tote your water, juice and tea around with you. Don’t forget your stylish reusable bags when you go to the grocery store! And you can also replace any plastic eating utensils plates and cups with reusable ones – your monthly grocery bill will benefit too!
Finally, for the plastic you can’t eliminate from your life, try to be mindful of how you dispose of it to reduce the chances it may endanger an animal later on down the line. Cut those plastic drink holders so the rings won’t entangle an animal. To help eliminate some of the temptation, rinse containers out as best as possible. And try to make sure your garbage and recycling bins aren’t easily accessible to either your pets or the local squirrels – keep a sturdy lid in place and a lock if need be.